Electrochemical Nanoparticle Sizing Via Nano-Impacts: How Large a Nanoparticle Can be Measured?

Bartlett TR, Sokolov SV, Compton RG - ChemistryOpen (2015)

Bottom Line:
The field of nanoparticle (NP) sizing encompasses a wide array of techniques, with electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) having become the established methods for NP quantification; however, these techniques are not always applicable.Two complementary studies on silver and silver bromide nanoparticles (NPs) were used to assess the large radius limit of the nano-impact method for NP sizing.Noting that by definition a NP cannot be larger than 100 nm in diameter, we have shown that the method quantitatively sizes at the largest limit, the lower limit having been previously reported as ∼6 nm.1.

ABSTRACTThe field of nanoparticle (NP) sizing encompasses a wide array of techniques, with electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) having become the established methods for NP quantification; however, these techniques are not always applicable. A new and rapidly developing method that addresses the limitations of these techniques is the electrochemical detection of NPs in solution. The 'nano-impacts' technique is an excellent and qualitative in situ method for nanoparticle characterization. Two complementary studies on silver and silver bromide nanoparticles (NPs) were used to assess the large radius limit of the nano-impact method for NP sizing. Noting that by definition a NP cannot be larger than 100 nm in diameter, we have shown that the method quantitatively sizes at the largest limit, the lower limit having been previously reported as ∼6 nm.1.

Mentions:
where Mw is the molecular weight, Q is the charge, and ρ is the NP density. Figure 6 shows the calculated electrochemical size distribution when compared to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sizing of the particles is in very close agreement with SEM results, with the average diameter of the NPs found to be 92 nm and 93 nm, respectively. This confirms the accurate electrochemical sizing of silver halide NPs and shows the applicability of this technique to metal compound materials approaching the limit of the nanoscale.

Mentions:
where Mw is the molecular weight, Q is the charge, and ρ is the NP density. Figure 6 shows the calculated electrochemical size distribution when compared to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sizing of the particles is in very close agreement with SEM results, with the average diameter of the NPs found to be 92 nm and 93 nm, respectively. This confirms the accurate electrochemical sizing of silver halide NPs and shows the applicability of this technique to metal compound materials approaching the limit of the nanoscale.

Bottom Line:
The field of nanoparticle (NP) sizing encompasses a wide array of techniques, with electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) having become the established methods for NP quantification; however, these techniques are not always applicable.Two complementary studies on silver and silver bromide nanoparticles (NPs) were used to assess the large radius limit of the nano-impact method for NP sizing.Noting that by definition a NP cannot be larger than 100 nm in diameter, we have shown that the method quantitatively sizes at the largest limit, the lower limit having been previously reported as ∼6 nm.1.

ABSTRACTThe field of nanoparticle (NP) sizing encompasses a wide array of techniques, with electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) having become the established methods for NP quantification; however, these techniques are not always applicable. A new and rapidly developing method that addresses the limitations of these techniques is the electrochemical detection of NPs in solution. The 'nano-impacts' technique is an excellent and qualitative in situ method for nanoparticle characterization. Two complementary studies on silver and silver bromide nanoparticles (NPs) were used to assess the large radius limit of the nano-impact method for NP sizing. Noting that by definition a NP cannot be larger than 100 nm in diameter, we have shown that the method quantitatively sizes at the largest limit, the lower limit having been previously reported as ∼6 nm.1.